Chapter 1345

“I’ll give you enough money to ensure a comfortable life for the rest of your days. If you wish to further your studies, I’ll cover the tuition. But we cannot be married,” Joe stated directly. He’d made this decision immediately after kissing Skylar yesterday. Had he never met Skylar, his wife could have been Rosa, or anyone else—it wouldn't have mattered. But now, he knew his wife couldn’t simply be anyone. Regardless of his identity, he wanted Skylar.

Rosa’s eyes widened, her face paling as she stared at him in shock. “What did you say?”

“Twenty million dollars has been deposited into your account,” Joe said calmly. Twenty million was a substantial sum, certainly enough to ensure a comfortable life. But that wasn’t what Rosa wanted.

Tears streamed down her face. “Ned, give me a reason. Why? Have you forgotten the promises you made? You said you’d cherish me for life. Is this your idea of cherishing me?” Before her surgery, she’d harbored a premonition about this conversation, hoping her suspicions were wrong, that he wouldn't be so cruel.

“I’ve fallen for someone else. It’s my fault,” Joe admitted, his feelings impossible to conceal.

Rosa’s face blanched further. “Someone else? Who?”

She’d braced herself for the possibility of his recovered memory, but never imagined this reason. For three years, she’d striven to be more attractive, even undergoing minor cosmetic procedures. Though, next to Skylar…

Wait. It was Skylar, wasn't it?

“It’s Skylar, isn’t it? She’s been deliberately appearing before you to seduce you, and you fell for it?” Rosa accused, her voice sharp.

“It doesn’t matter,” Joe replied.

Of course, it mattered! She knew Skylar always saw him as Joe, that he was engaged, yet she persisted, revealing her true intentions. She likely…she likely saw him as a replacement for Joe! Rosa cried out, trembling with rage.

Joe’s expression darkened at the word “replacement.” Seeing his reaction, Rosa continued, “I know I’m not as beautiful as Skylar, but after all we’ve shared, how can you abandon me so easily? Ned, can you do this with a clear conscience?”

“I’ll give you another ten million,” Joe said steadily.

Rosa thought she’d misheard. “Ned, I told you I can’t live without you! No amount of money matters. All I’ve ever wanted is you.”

Joe regarded Rosa silently for a moment, then rose.

“Are you sure you know who I truly am?”

He left, leaving Rosa stunned. A voice whispered in her mind, “You lose everything, after all.”

“No, that can’t be. He can’t have regained his memory. The doctors said he might never remember. He’s only been misled by Skylar’s manipulations. She’s filled his head with lies. He’s Ned, and he always will be!” Rosa murmured, her eyes desperate.

Just as they neared home, Skylar received a message from Joe, requesting a meeting tomorrow.